Does your baby have the most popular name in the world?
There is one thing most of the world can agree on: the name Sophia.
No matter which variation is used — Sophia, Sofia, Sophie Sofie — the girls name is No. 1 around the world, according to data collected by Laura Wattenberg at babynamewizard.com.
According to Wattenberg, Sophia is the top baby name in nine countries, No. 2 or 3 in 20 countries, and in the top 25 in two-thirds of all countries that report the statistic.
In Georgia, Sophia is ranked No. 6.
Parents here prefer Olivia for their girls, followed by Ava, Emma, Madison, Isabella, and then Sophia.
In case you're wondering, William is the most popular boys name in Georgia. Check out our gallery of Georgia Olivias and Williams.
Wattenberg makes it clear that her study is not definitive, because China, India, Brazil and other large countries don't file baby name popularity reports.
The name wasn't very popular in the United States through the 1980s, and Wattenberg thinks it doesn't sound tired or over-familiar to today's parents.
In Georgia, Sophia (in any variation) was not among the top 20 girl names even as late as 1994.
Babies traditionally have been given family names, Wattenberg says, so for "33 countries to all share the same fashion trend in baby names means that they're all naming based on style."
"Across borders and cultures," Wattenberg added, "we're all treating baby names as statements of individual style – and in the process, discovering that we're more alike than we ever imagined."
About the Author
Nancy Clanton is a lead producer for The AJC's platforms team, but also writes stories about health, travel, events and entertainment. A native of Knoxville and graduate of the University of Tennessee, she has worked at the AJC for 24 years.
